God Has Come!
Scripture Reading — Luke 7:11-16
"A great prophet has appeared among us ... God has come to help his people."
Luke 7:16
Wearing clothes of mourning, the woman trudges along the road, accompanied by relatives and neighbors, as she weeps for her dead son. She's been down this ugly road before-when her husband died and left her a widow. Along with many others through the centuries, she knows the great loss of loved ones who could help care for her-and now they're gone.
But then the grieving mother meets the Lord Jesus on his way into her town. His great, loving heart goes out to her. "Don't cry," he says. And his voice goes out to the lifeless young man: "Get up!" The young man returns to life, and Jesus presents the newly resurrected son to his stunned mother! With this wonderful gift she also receives revived hope for her future, restored status in her community, and renewed joy for life. Jesus has released this woman from a crushing oppression!
The woman's relatives and neighbors praise God: "God has come to help his people," they cry. It's a version of what Mary said when she shared the news of her pregnancy with Elizabeth (Luke 1:46-55); what Zechariah said when his son John was born (Luke 1:68-75); and what the angels said to the shepherds in Bethlehem (Luke 2:14): God has come to help his people!
What do you say when the Lord makes himself known to you?
<p>May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer (see Psalm 19:14). In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.</p>
About the author — David Den Haan
Pastor Dave Den Haan has served at Fairway Christian Reformed Church in Jenison, Michigan, since 1999. Previously he served a church in Minnesota. Dave and his wife, Connie, have three children.
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